WO2011002403A1

WO2011002403A1 - Arrangement for transferring inputs to an electronic device

Info

Publication number: WO2011002403A1
Application number: PCT/SE2010/050736
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tomas Brusell
Original assignee: Tomas Brusell
Priority date: 2009-06-29
Filing date: 2010-06-28
Publication date: 2011-01-06
Also published as: SE0950500A1; SE533743C2

Abstract

An arrangement for transferring inputs from a user (100) to an electronic device (110), which controls functions on a display (110a). The arrangement comprises a framework (104) which is held in a position in front of the mouth of the user and forms a cavity which can be reached by the tongue of the user. Light sources (302a-e) in the framework emit light beams through the cavity of the framework in a direction towards opposite light sensors (304a-e) in the framework. When the tongue of the user breaks these beams, the light sensors emits corresponding electrical signals to a signal unit (108) which then transforms the signals to corresponding inputs (IM) to the electronic device. The arrangement can thereby be maneuvered without any help from the hands.

Description

Arrangement for transferring inputs to an electronic device Technical field

The present invention relates to an arrangement for transferring inputs, such as keyboard functions, mouse functions and joystick functions, from a user to an electronic device with a display.

Background

A keyboard, mouse and joystick are generally used in order to make inputs to computers and other electronic devices in order to control different functions and activities on a display. In this description, the expression "input" is intended to represent inputs and commandoes which can be done with a keyboard, mouse and joystick to electronic devices with a display, for example computers, telephones, gamepads and TV-sets.

Usually, such inputs are made by the hands of the user maneuvering a mouse, a joystick and/or a keyboard in order to activate and control different computer functions and applications on the display, for example mouse pointers, cursors, icons and game objects, which however, in certain situations can be difficult or even impossible. For example, persons with a disability may not be capable of performing the required hand movements, or both hands of the user may be busy with another activity, such as driving a car or operating different machines and instruments. A doctor, dentist or nurse may for example need to input information to a computer or control an instrument in relation to an examination or treatment of a patient, which requires working with both hands. Another example is electronic games which are controlled by inputs from both a keyboard and a joystick so that both hands may not suffice.

Different solutions have been proposed before in which the user can control a computer cursor by movement of the tongue and/or other parts of the mouth cavity or face. Some previously known solutions for this comprise some sort of maneuvering means corresponding to the mouse which is placed in the mouth cavity, for example a ball or the like arranged at a row of teeth or in the palate, see for example DE 195 12 595 Al . However, it can be experienced as annoying for the user to have a strange object in the mouth, not least from a hygienic point of view. The environment within the mouth cavity, with for example the enzymes of the saliva, also easily makes sensitive electronic components in the equipment to be degraded fairly rapidly. The maneuvering means also needs to be applied properly in the mouth cavity as well as be cleaned and maintained, which entails extra work.

WO 02/075515 describes a solution for controlling a cursor on a computer display by registering ultra sound signals which are reflected against a user's tongue and/or mouth cavity, which does not require a strange object in the mouth. This solution, however, requires fairly advanced equipment and programming in order to read and interpret movements in the mouth cavity.

There are also solutions for disabled persons which are founded on registration of eye movements. This technique is, however, relatively expensive and difficult to realize with sufficient precision, and also requires extensive practice by the user. In addition, the user may then not focus its sight on something else.

There are no known simple solution to quickly and with precision be able to transfer inputs to computers, gamepads and other electronic devices in order to control functions on a display, such as a cursor, mouse pointer, or an object in a game, etc., without having to use the hands or strange objects in the mouth of the user.

Summary

It is an object of the present invention to avoid, or at least reduce, the above mentioned problem, and to achieve a relatively simple and robust solution, which allows inputs to an electronic device in order to control functions on a display, without having to use the hands. These objects and others can be achieved by an arrangement for transferring of inputs from the user to an electronic device in order to control functions on a display according to claim 1 . The arrangement comprises a framework adapted for, at use, to be held in a position substantially in front of the mouth of the user, wherein the framework forms a, towards the mouth, open cavity which can be reached by the tongue of the user. In the arrangement, a plurality of light sources are further arranged on the inside of the framework and adapted to emit light beams in a direction inwards through the cavity of the framework, and a plurality of light sensors are arranged in the inside of the framework and adapted to react on light beams from opposite light sources by emitting corresponding electrical signals. The arrangement also comprises a holder adapted to be worn by the user and to hold the framework in said position substantially in front of the mouth of the user, and a signaling unit, adapted to register and transform electrical signals, emitted from the light sensors, to corresponding inputs to the electronic device.

Different embodiments are possible within the scope of the invention. For example, the light sensors can be of the type photocell which emits a signal when the light beam from an opposite light source is broken by the tongue of the user, and the light sources can be adapted to emit laser light to achieve increased precision. In addition, the framework can be designed as a basket or a cage with strips where the light sources and light sensors are distributed along the strips', towards the cavity turned, insides so that each light sensor can be hit by the light from at least one opposite light source.

Additional embodiments and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description.

Brief description of the drawings

The present invention will be described in more detail below by way of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is α schematic perspective view of an arrangement for transferring of inputs from a user to an electronic device, according to a conceivable embodiment.

Figure 2 is a side view of the arrangement in figure 1 .

Figure 3 is a side view showing how the arrangement in figures 1 and 2 could be designed in more detail, according to an embodiment.

Figure 4 shows a section A - A of figure 3 showing how light sources and light sensors can be placed in the arrangement, according to an exemplary

embodiment.

Figure 5 shows a somewhat modified exemplary embodiment of how light sources and light sensors can be placed in the arrangement, according to an alternative embodiment.

Figure 6 is a block diagram showing how signals from light sensors are transformed to inputs to an electronic device, according to another conceivable embodiment.

Detailed description of embodiments

In figure 1 , an example of an arrangement for transferring inputs, such as functions corresponding to mouse, joystick and keyboard, from a user 100 to an electronic device 1 10 provided with or coupled to a display 1 10a, is shown. The arrangement is intended to be worn on the head of the user and comprises a framework 104 which is kept in a position in front of the mouth of the user by a holder 102 and forms a cavity which can be reached by the tongue of the user. Figure 2 shows the arrangement in figure 1 from the side.

The framework 104 comprises a plurality of light sources which emit light beams through the cavity of the framework in direction towards opposite light sensors in the framework, which will be described in more detail below. When the tongue of the user breaks these light beams, the light sensors can transmit corresponding electrical signals to a signal unit 108, which is used to control the electronic device 1 10. Alternatively, the light sensors can transmit electrical signals to the signal unit continuously as long as they are being hit by the light, to then cease this when the tongue breaks the beams. In this description, the expression "emit electrical signals" shall be considered to cover both cases above, i.e. that signals are generated or cease to be generated when the light beams are broken, which is equivalent for the function of the invention in this context.

By placing such light sources and light sensors in an appropriate way, the position and movement of the tongue can be registered with high precision and translated to corresponding inputs to the electronic device 1 10. The arrangement can thereby be maneuvered without help from the hands and does not require any strange object in the mouth or touch by the tongue against the equipment. The light sensors can be of the type photocell, which emits a signal when the light beam from an opposite light source is broken by the tongue of the user. The light sources can also be adapted to emit laser light which allows a dense structure of a large number of light sources and sensors to achieve very high speed and precision at the reading of the position and movements of the tongue.

The signal unit 108 is adapted to transmit inputs "IM" corresponding to the electrical signals from the light sensors to the device 1 10, in this case a computer, so that the breaking of different light beams gives rise to different inputs in the computer 1 10 in order to, for example, control a mouse pointer, a cursor, an object in a game, or other applications on the display 1 10a.

In the example shown in figure 1 , the signal unit 108 is placed in an upper position on a holder 102 which extends along the side of the head of the user, men also other placements and designs of holders are possible within the scope of the invention. For example, the signal unit 108 can be placed further down on the holder 102 or on a, to the holder coupled, extra branch. The holder 102 can, in its turn, be arranged as a band, which extends around the head of the user, or as a rigid arm of the type "headset" which extends along one side or two arms along both sides of the mouth of the user. The holder 102 can also be incorporated in a helmet-like construction.

The framework 104 can also be designed in different ways, for example as a bowl, bag, cage or basket. The framework is preferably arranged with openings for ventilation so that no condense will arise, which otherwise could interfere with the light function. Figure 3 shows a conceivable embodiment of the framework 104 in more detail, in which the framework is built up with strips 300 which form a basket-like structure with good flow of air. A plurality of light sources 302a and light sensors 302b is arranged on the inside of the framework, and the figure shows only some examples of how these may be placed. The invention is thus not limited to any particular design of the framework or placing of light sources or light sensors. The light sources 302a are arranged to emit light beams through the cavity of the framework, substantially in direction towards the light sensors 302b, which in turn are arranged to react to light beams from opposite light sources by transmitting corresponding electrical signals to the signal unit 108.

Figure 4 shows an example of how the light sources 302a and the light sensors 302b can be placed in more detail, viewed substantially in a section A - A of figure 3. In this example, five light sources 302a-e and five light sensors 304a-e are evenly distributed along the inner periphery of the framework 104 in the shown section/plane, such that each light sensor 304 is hit by light beams from an opposite light source 302. Depending on if such a light beam is broken by the tongue of a user, the corresponding light sensor 304 emits a signal S to the signal unit 108, not shown in figure 4.

The number and placement of the light sources and light sensors can be chosen freely, depending on a desired function and they need for example not be placed with all light sources 302a-e on one side and all light sensors 304a-e on the opposite side as in figure 4. Additionally, they can be placed such that the light beams are emitted in optional direction through the three dimensional cavity of the framework towards the light sensors, that is, upwards, downwards, forward, backwards, etc. The light sensors can also be calibrated to react first after the tongue has broken

corresponding light beam a certain time, for example half a second.

The signal unit 108 is adapted to transform signals from the light sensors to a corresponding commando or the like, which are then provided to the electronic device 1 10 to control one or more functions on the display. A certain light sensor can, for example, correspond to a mouse movement on the display in a certain direction, for example, to the right, left, up and down. The signal unit 108 can also be

programmed to activate or deactivate functions at different combinations of signals from the light sensors. For example, the signal unit 108 can transform a combination of a signal from light sensor 304a immediately followed by a signal from light sensor 304b, to a press of a key on the keyboard, which activates a certain program or a function in the computer 1 10.

In addition, the signal unit 108 can be programmed to create different inputs depending on how long a time the tongue has broken one or several light beams. Different activation times for a certain light sensor can for example correspond to different movements, symbols or functions, for example, 1 second - activation of function A, 2 seconds - activation of function B, and so on.

Inputs created in this way can be transferred from the signal unit 108 to the computer 1 10 by a wire (not shown) or wirelessly. Thus, a transmitter can be connected to the signal unit 108 and transfer the signals wirelessly to a receiver at the computer 1 10, for example by IR light or Bluetooth radio. The invention is thus not generally limited to any particular transfer technique to transfer the signals between the signal unit and the electronic device.

By the above described arrangement, the user can make different inputs to the electronic device by moving his/her tongue within the cavity of the framework, wherein the arrangement operates as a control unit where the light sensors can read the position and movement of the tongue at lightning speed and with very high precision, especially when many densely arranged light sources/light sensors are used and when laser light is used. It is also possible to adapt the arrangement to create a great number of different inputs and functions by effect of different combinations of light sensors. This arrangement can be realized with simple components and relatively easy, for the user, to learn to maneuver.

The invented arrangement is not limited to any particular field of use, and can be used for controlling any functions what so ever, which are displayed on the display of, for example, a computer, telephone, gamepad or TV-set. Of course, different combinations of the above described embodiments are possible within the scope of the invention, which is not limited to the shown embodiments. The invention is defined by the accompanying patent claims.

Claims

Patent claims

1 . An arrangement for transferring of inputs from a user (100) to an electronic device (1 10), which inputs control functions on a display (1 10a), wherein the arrangement comprises:

- a framework (104) arranged such that, at use, to be held in a position

substantially in front of the mouth of the user, wherein the framework forms a, towards the mouth, open cavity, which can be reached by the tongue of the user,

a plurality of light sources (302a-e) arranged on the inside of the framework and adapted to emit light beams in a direction inwards through the cavity of the framework,

a plurality of light sensors (304a-e) arranged on the inside of the framework and adapted to react on light beams from opposite light sources by emitting corresponding electrical signals (S) such that a signal is emitted when the light beam from an opposite light source is broken by the tongue of the user,

- a holder (102) adapted to be worn by the user and to hold the framework in said position substantially in front of the mouth of the user, and

- a signal unit (108) adapted to register and transform electrical signals, emitted from the light sensors, to corresponding inputs to the electronic device.

2. An arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein the light sensors are of the type photocell, which emits a signal when the light beam from an opposite light source is broken by the tongue of the user.

3. An arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the light sources are

adapted to emit laser light.

4. An arrangement according to any of claims 1-3, wherein the framework is designed as a basket or cage with strips where the light sources and light sensors are distributed along the strips', towards the cavity turned, insides, such that each light sensor can be hit by the light from at least one opposite light source.

5. An arrangement according to any of claims 1-4, wherein the signal unit is programmed to create different inputs from different combinations of signals from the light sensors.

6. An arrangement according to any of claims 1-5, wherein different activation times for a certain light sensor or combination of light sensors correspond to different inputs.

7. An arrangement according to any of claims 1-6, wherein the light sensors are calibrated to react after a certain time from when the tongue has broken the light beam.

8. An arrangement according to any of claims 1-7, wherein the signal unit is

programmed to create different inputs depending on the length of time the tongue has broken one or more light beams.

9. An arrangement according to any of claims 1-8, wherein the holder is designed as a band or headset, or is a part of a helmet-like construction.

10. An arrangement according to any of claims 1-9, adapted to create inputs, which comprise keyboard functions, mouse functions and/or joystick functions, which control any of the following types of electronic devices: computer, telephone, gamepad and TV-set.